The Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee -- which debuted by being driven through a glass wall during the North American International Auto Show on Jan. 7, 1992 -- recently broke through another barrier: North American sales of the vehicle that redefined the sport-utility market surpassed three million units in March. Worldwide, nearly 3.5 million Jeep Grand Cherokees have been sold since that memorable introduction 13 years ago at the Cobo Convention Center in Detroit.

Jeep Grand Cherokee sales in March 2005 were 18,828 units, lifting sales to 3,013,296 units since the 1992 introduction of the vehicle. Last month's Grand Cherokee sales were up compared to February 2005 (15,531 units) and March 2004 (17,105 units).

The first Jeep Grand Cherokee, (code-named ZJ), was introduced as a 1993 model. It achieved levels of comfort, ride and handling previously unavailable in a sport-utility vehicle, and was the first SUV to be equipped with a driver's side air bag.

The second generation Grand Cherokee (WJ), was introduced in 1998 as a 1999 model. Among its noteworthy features was the new Quadra-Drive(R) transfer case. A new concept in four-wheel drive systems, it incorporated a progressive, speed-sensing torque transfer coupling. The system marked the first industry use of Vari-Lok axles that had progressive, speed-sensing torque transfer differentials, in both front and rear axles. Combining Quadra-Trac II(R) and Vari-Lok yielded the revolutionary Quadra-Drive system which, without any driver involvement, keeps the vehicle moving even if only one wheel has minimal traction -- a key customer benefit under all driving conditions.

The current model (WK) was unveiled last year. All-new from the ground up, the award-winning 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the best Grand Cherokee ever. Besides three new full-time four-wheel drive systems, two new transfer cases, all-new independent and front suspension, rack and pinion steering (Jeep firsts), and an all-new five-speed transmission, the current Grand Cherokee was the first Jeep vehicle available with the 5.7-liter HEMI(R) V-8 and the Multi-Displacement System. MDS imperceptibly deactivates four cylinders when the V-8 is not needed. (The all-new 2006 Jeep Commander, due in showrooms this fall, will also be available with the Hemi engine.)

Autoblog has an article that hints that there might be a mutiny at DCX. A group of investors may be trying a hostile takeover to split Chrysler away from the Germans. As for the American car makers all going under because of the Japanese, I don't buy it. Toyota, Nissan, and Honda are legitimate threats to the big 3's market share, but they're not going to kill them off. In fact, it is the Japanese who seem to be suffering as of late. GM has done a good job of dismantling Isuzu, and DCX doesn't seem too concerned with floundering Mitsubishi. Finally, Suburu has done a good job of finding a niche market and serving it well. In that regard it is very similar to Jeep. With the new Tribeca, Suburu and Jeep will be directly competing with each other for the first time. When the new Compass comes out, Jeep will then be invading Suburu's niche. So, there will be a real war between the two companies. I honestly think that many of the core values between the customers of Jeep and Suburu overlap. I think that ultimately, if Jeep makes the right quality of product, they can take away much of Suburu's market share in the US. I don't think that they would be "watering down" the Jeep heritage to do this. As long as Jeep is around, I'll not be tempted to buy Japanese.

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Anonymous

Posted: 1969/12/31 19:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 19:00

Originally posted by: ski4jeepin

To 96 XJ Owner, check the publication date of that Moter Trend. If it's an April issue, I think you may have been duped by an April Fool's prank. For any magazine to predict the Big Three are going to die is risking a serious bruise to their credibility.

As for Jeep selling three million Grand Cherokees; Great! As an owner of one of those three million Grand Cherokees it's good to be in such great company.

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Anonymous

Posted: 1969/12/31 19:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 19:00

Originally posted by: OnlyOneJeep

Besides Jeep of course, I have been loyal to GM; Buick; specifically. I have owned a Grand National. S/C Riviera, and LT1 Roadmaster. All were great vehicles 'til I got my Jeeps.

I'd rather see Jeep die; than go to the Asian Automakers.....

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Anonymous

Posted: 1969/12/31 19:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 19:00

Originally posted by: 96 XJ Owner

rubicontrail.net you are right that article is baseless. i just thought of something-i wonder if we could have a general forum tech,repairs,mods and other jeep related ideas on the new site when it comes as well as a dedicated polls page in addition to a news and comments page that we have now.

of all the message boards and forums that i participate in this one has to be the best. th whiners on this page are not nearly as bad as some of the ones on autoweek forums. and this forum seems to have more people that have seen different types of tech and the like.

now with that said i have a question;has jeep or any other truck manufacturer ever used a Fish-bladed frame(double frame, one set of frame rails welded at certain points to the outside of standard spec frame rails to make the frame stronger) in their trucks? i know it is common on medium and heavy duty trucks but i don't know of any light trucks that use that type of frame.

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Anonymous

Posted: 1969/12/31 19:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 19:00

Originally posted by: Billy G

Whoops thats 170,000 for the ZJ, its been a real workhorse for our family business!

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Anonymous

Posted: 1969/12/31 19:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 19:00

Originally posted by: Billy G

Congrats to Jeep for building the greatest SUV, Ford/Chevy/Jap Crap can't come close. I love my parents 1995 ZJ (17000 miles) and my 2001 WJ (72000 miles) both with the bulletproof I6 4.0. Why did Jeep get rid of that engine for the puny V6 for the 2005??

it is in thier news section i thought it might be a prank but it goes along with what all the financial annalysts are saying these days.

as for chrysler being broken away frome the germans, i think it is too late both companies cannot stand on thier own. the only company that can stand on its own is frieght liner but even that was part of MB before chrysler was. with all the new tech that is needed and all of the competition the company needs to remain whole to remain successful. however i do not like what the germans have been doing. they constantly put down the chrysler division.what i like to see happen is each division has autonomy they can share tech and engineers and platforms but theleadership shouldn't take favorites. some put down Zetche but he went to bat for his division and has turned it arround. i heard now that if the pres. of MB division turns it arround he is going to be the one that is going to replace Schremp, that makes me think that Zetchehurt himself when he helped Chrysler so i don't think th,at he should be blamed for designs being produced.

i heard that it was not the price that killed the ME412 it was the fact that the car was better than any MB and the same thing happened with the double clutch automatic.all chrysler needs si autonomy not to be spun off.

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Anonymous

Posted: 1969/12/31 19:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 19:00

Originally posted by: 96XJ Owner

i almost forgot i have a good poll question:

In addition to jeep what brand are you most loyal to?

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Anonymous

Posted: 1969/12/31 19:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 19:00

Originally posted by: RUBICONTRAIL.NET

And as I stated before Toyota (and Nissan) may hold a share of the US truck market but it pales in comparison to what Dodge, Ford, and GM sell. Dodge and Chrysler sell over five times as many minivans as either Toyota or Honda.

Not to mention Japanese quality levels have slipped (particularly at Toyota) over the past few years while US quality (particulary DCX and Ford) has grown.

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Anonymous

Posted: 1969/12/31 19:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 19:00

Originally posted by: Liberty Owner

The Japanese auto companies are going to put the big three American companies under? In what parallel universe?

GM owns Subaru and Isuzu. Seen any Isuzu passenger cars for sale in the US lately?

Ford owns Mazda.

Renault (i.e., the French Government) owns Nissan which came close to closing it's doors.

Dihatsu (remember the Rocky?) failed miserably in the US market.

Mitsubishi is on it's last legs.

In fact, other than Honda and Toyota, the Japanese are pretty much dismal failures in the auto business.

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Anonymous

Posted: 1969/12/31 19:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 19:00

Originally posted by: RUBICONTRAIL.NET

Any stock suspension (IFS, coil, or leaf) is not going to give you a huge amount of flex. Period.

I drive a 2001 Jeep Cherokee with stock suspension and I have had plenty of situations off-road where only 3 wheels were in contact with the ground.

The IFS system on the WK can drop over half an inch further than the stock suspension on the WJ. If you want a truly flexible suspension I suggest you go to an aftermarket suspension.

In today's market no auto maker is going to make a highly flexible suspension on a family-oriented SUV because it reduces stability of the vehicle at highway speeds. The general public would end up rolling the vehicle and the manufacturer would have a PR nightmare on it's hands.

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Anonymous

Posted: 1969/12/31 19:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 19:00

Originally posted by: Joe

That picture has got to be the best illustration of how poor IFS performs in off road conditions.

before AMC was absorbed into Chrysler it had some good designs. the first was the unibody suv, secondthe four link front suspension. the use of LFS with good handeling.the 4.2/4.0 I6 was also one of the best engines conceved. that said i think AMC tec will still live in the new generation wrangler. and in the construction of the uniframe that jeeps use.

on another note, i just read an article in motor trend that said that the big three are going to go out of buisness. they also said that is a good thing and that it wouldn't hurt our economy because all japanese companies build cars in this country.

i find that comment offensive, troubleing and false.although GM and Ford are in trouble they are both working on new tech that will make them compeditive. one of these new technologies is a hybrid system that GM is building with DC. also i have the fear that nomatter what an icon jeep is, if DC goes under i dont think any of those japanese companies will buy the jeep brand and jeep will die which would be bad for all of us.

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Anonymous

Posted: 1969/12/31 19:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 19:00

Originally posted by: RUBICONTRAIL.NET

That article is baseless. GM may be having dire financial troubles but Ford can easily keep itself alive with the Mustang and the F-series trucks. Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep are all turning profits now and are helping fund Mercedes (a bit of a role reversal from a few years ago). While Toyota and Nissan may develop trucks their sales numbers are pale compared to US manufactures. DCX dominates the minivan market.

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Anonymous

Posted: 1969/12/31 19:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 19:00

Originally posted by: OnlyOneJeep

Nothing any better that the original ZJ

My '93 Limited 5.2 still is the one to beat..even today.

It was truly the LAST AMC-designed and in concept..just like the XJ and YJ before it..Long live the AMC bloodline.